Comic Speculation: What to Expect In Star Wars Revelations #1 2023

Star Wars: Revelations #1 by Marvel Comics has a final order cutoff this Monday and to promote the book, Marvel has released a 7-page unlettered art preview that hints at what to expect in the book.

If you’re unfamiliar with Star Wars: Revelations, it’s a yearly comic (that started in 2022) that teases the next year’s comic storylines. Last year’s version of Star Wars: Revelations by Marc Guggenheim introduced Ajax Sigma and the Inferno Squad to comics and laid breadcrumbs for what would eventually become Star Wars: Dark Droids. I still think Star Wars Revelations #1(2022) is a decent comic speculation play. Especially the 1:50 by Jim Jim Cheung as it was likely underordered due to the $5.99 cover price.

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The purpose of the comic is what makes it intriguing. This year’s version of Star Wars: Revelations is different than last year’s though. Instead of one continuous story/fever dream it will be an anthology of short stories that will act as a preview for different runs. Each story will have it’s own author, illustrator, and colorist.

Much like the “Devil’s Cut” anthology from DSTLRY that came out earlier this year, having a bunch of preview stories in one issue makes it RIPE for first appearances. Even before the new series’ start.

The credits page from the art preview shows that we’re getting stories from:

Star Wars (main run)
Mace Windu (new mini-series)
Jango Fett (new mini-series)
Darth Vader (current run)
The High Republic (Phase III)
Doctor Aphra (current run)
Jabba the Hutt (I’m guessing this will be a new mini-series)

*Note: There are no “Star Wars: Bounty Hunters” stories because that run is ending this February with issue #42

I’ll add the full preview below but there are a few things that stood out to me.

Rik Duel vs. Bane Malar – Talk about deep cuts. I mentioned the other day that Rik Duel was a big part of the 1977 comic run from Marvel before Dark Horse took over in the 90s. You can learn more about him here.

And Bane Malar, who was originally in Jabba’s Palace during The Return of the Jedi but was cut for time in the final version. He was eventually resurrected in a card game before becoming canon in his first appearance, Jabba’s Palace, last year. I wrote a post on this earlier this year. Check that out here.

The 2nd print 1:25 virgin variant by Alex Maleev could be a HUGE book if Bane becomes a regular character in comics. The listings on eBay are already $100+ for raw.

Dengar Remains – Even though Star Wars: Bounty Hunters is ending it appears Dengar will stay on in upcoming comics. There’s a preview of him interacting with a boss-looking character who I am not familiar with. I may be blanking on who they are but until someone corrects me I’m going to assume it’s their first appearances.

Prequel Era Stories – With Mace Windu and Jango Fett getting their own series in 2024 it will be interesting to see how much is teased in Revelations. I would imagine that both of these minis will be background exploration for two fan favorite characters and will fill in gaps in the character rather than introduce major lore altering events. But still, I would think some of the new characters for those series will show up here first.

UPDATED: Star Wars Mace Windu Release Dates and Variant Checklist

Who is this? – On one of the pages we see a Nexu fighting someone in gold plated armor and a red cape. I feel like I should know who this is but I can’t put my finger on it. I’ve done some digging to try and identify who they are and have so far come up blank. At this moment I’m just going to assume it’s a new character and this is their first appearance. But I don’t know that for certain.

No Thrawn? – The biggest surprise in this series is the absence of Grand Admiral Thrawn considering he’s on the cover A. I think he’ll probably make an appearance somewhere in this book. It would be odd to have him on the cover if he didn’t. My guess is Darth Vader in a flashback or something to let fans know that he knew Vader before Star Wars: Thrawn Alliances comes out.

UPDATED: Star Wars: Thrawn Alliances Marvel Comics Variant Checklist

How does the High Republic fit in? – The preview page for the High Republic story by Cavan Scott doesn’t give us much to speculate on. However, I do think that the goal of this story will be to frame the overall narrative of Phase III. In other words, I think we’ll get our first look, in comics at least, of what the big picture end game is going to look like.

All in all, this is looking like a beast of an issue that COULD heat up when it is released since there are likely to be a bunch of new characters. That being said do not buy anything just because I like it. It’s your money. You work hard for it. Only spend it on things you truly want.

UPDATED: Star Wars The High Republic Phase Three Reading Order & Comic Checklist

Check out the publisher’s description, all variants, and the full unlettered preview below.

Star Wars: Revelations #1 (2023)

OCT230732

(W) Marc Guggenheim, Various (A) Salvador Larroca, Various (CA) Rod Reis

FROM THE HIGH REPUBLIC TO THE ORIGINAL TRILOGY AND BEYOND! JABBA THE HUTT! DARTH VADER! MACE WINDU! KEEVE TRENNIS, THRAWN AND MORE!
Introducing new characters, new twists and new turns across all of Marvel’s STAR WARS line! This star-studded issue puts the pieces on the board for what’s to come in a galaxy far, far away!
Rated T

In Shops: Dec 20, 2023

SRP: $6.99

Variants